Throughout the 2011-12 academic year, the Lycoming College Education Department has continued its commitment to scholarship and teaching practices through various research projects and presentations.

"The Lycoming College Education Department prides itself in service to the College, the students and the community. Our commitment to scholarship and best teaching practices is unwavering," said Dr. Amy Rogers, education department chair and assistant professor. "As we continue to grow, prosper and educate, we continue to use data-driven instruction and reflective practices to guide our department."

Last May, Dr. Marisa Macy, assistant professor of education, presented "An International Framework for Delivering Early Childhood Special Services to Young Exceptional Children and Their Families" at an international symposium in Taichung, Taiwan. At the International Society on Early Intervention in New York City, she presented "What Does the Research Show on Conventional and Authentic Assessment Practices for Early Intervention Eligibility?

Also in May, Dr. Rachel Hickoff-Cresko, assistant professor of education, presented "Reading Self-efficacy Perceptions of Urban Middle School Students in Relation to Gender, Grade Level, and Reading Performance" at the International Reading Association 56th Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla.

Hickoff-Cresko, Macy and Rogers presented "A Preservice Teacher Program" at the International Society on Early Intervention in New York City later that month. Their poster highlighted the unique features of Lycoming's education program such as supervised, freshmen-year field experience and access to an on-campus preschool run by Hope Enterprises, Inc.

In September, Macy presented "A Research Synthesis and Review of Developmental Screening Measures for Young Children" at the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics in San Antonio, Texas.

At the Pennsylvania Association for Colleges and Teacher Educators Annual Conference in October, the three faculty delivered a presentation discussing the creation of Lycoming's new certification programs aligned with the requirements put forth by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Also in October, they discussed the Lycoming Education Data Analysis project at the Keystone State Reading Association conference in Lancaster, Pa. They presented the initial findings and implications of the project in relation to literacy across three certification areas: elementary, secondary and special education.

In November, they presented "The Training of Our Teachers: What is Best Practice?" at the 27th Annual International Conference of the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children in National Harbor, Md. Macy also delivered two solo presentations.

Later that month, Rogers and Hickoff-Cresko presented "What Do They Believe? Urban Adolescents' Reading Self-efficacy Beliefs" at the 38th Annual National Middle School Association Conference in Louisville, Ky.

In April, Rogers presented "So You Want to be a Teacher?" to the Hughesville (Pa.) Sr. High School Career Pathways Project. In addition, she published the Lycoming County's Women's History Curriculum Guide. Hickoff-Cresko was invited to present "Cognitive Engagement: How Can We Involve All Students in the Thinking" to the Susquehanna Valley Reading Council in Sunbury, Pa., in April.

Also in April, Rogers and Hickoff-Cresko presented "Informational Literacy: What Do Students Know, Need to Know, and How Do We Teach it?" to the West Branch Pennsylvania Library Association in Williamsport. They also presented at the Pennsylvania Association for Colleges and Teacher Educators Annual Spring Conference in State College.

Founded in 1812 and celebrating its bicentennial during the 2011-12 academic year, Lycoming College is a national liberal arts and sciences school dedicated to the undergraduate education of 1,400 students. It offers 35 academic majors and is recognized as a Tier 1 institution by U.S. News & World Report. Located near the banks of the Susquehanna River in Williamsport, Pa., Lycoming is one of the 50 oldest colleges in the nation.